Hisamasa Azai

Hisamasa Azai (1526-23 September 1573) was the daimyo of the Azai clan.

Biography
Hisamasa Azai succeeded his father Sukemasa Azai as the daimyo of the Azai in 1542, but he was never a strong leader. He lost lands to the Rokkaku clan, but in 1560 his son Nagamasa Azai reversed these losses with a victory at the Battle of Norada. His retainers felt more confident in Nagamasa, so they forced Hisamasa to give power to his son. In 1570 he pressured his son to break his alliance with Nobunaga Oda and help the Asakura at the Battle of Anegawa against his son's wishes, and after the defeat, Hisamasa and Nagamasa were besieged at Odani Castle. Hisamasa committed seppuku when the battle was lost.